Shaun [Kona]
Ross' Nightmare Orchards was actually designed
for Quake but converted to Quake2 so that
it could be finished. As a result, this
is a very Quake themed level and the 'theme'
is what it seems Kona has mastered. A fun
map, chock-full of enough baddies to keep
even the most veteran FPS fan contented.
Borrowing heavily on textures from Rune,
Hexen II & Daikatana, Shaun has created
a map that plays like the best of the original
Quake levels, but has only a few short-comings
in Quake 2.
For example, when coming out of one of
the main areas I scaled the cliffs to find
a better sniping-spot and I noticed an area
where another part of the levels bleeds
through the chosen skybox (see screenshot
->). Aside from simple statistics, the
Q2 F1 help panel offers no updates or goals
which I feel would have only accentuated
this level. Sounds seem rather low, I tested
the map without the soundtrack CD and it
was almost silent in some places taking
from the realism that does, in fact exist
in this map.
Aside from those minor points, Nightmare
Orchards is a great level and one that should
be played by all Quake 2 fans. The tweaked
textures offer a new twist on the old Strogg
mythos and items were well-placed throughout
the level resulting in quick 'up and down,
twist and turn' type gameplay. r_speeds
gave me no problem and the level plays very
smooth with great flow and one secret area
for all you treasure hunters who absolutely
have to explore every nook and cranny of
a game map.
So, here's Baal-Peor's score of 8 of 10
with points only being knocked off for the
above-mentioned issues. A great map, recommended
for all! Comparable to Quake original levels.
(2.53 mb)
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